Modular outdoor shed

ABSTRACT

A knockdown building which will enclose a well, a pump, a water tank, or the like. The building has a roof comprised of several sections each of which has a sleeve which will accommodate a post in the set up condition of the building. The posts are set in the ground and support the building.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a housing structure, and more particularly to an easily assembled, easily knocked down building which can be erected through slidable engagement of the various component members.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Easily assembled building structures are often required for numerous purposes. For example, during the warm months, it is often desirable to erect a temporary shed in a backyard for housing summer equipment such as bicycles, garden tools and the like. Since the shed is taken down after a number of months, it must be of a type that can be easily erected and easily knocked down.

Furthermore, many, if not most, homeowners are interested in various home improvements, and often are in need of additional supplementary structures or outbuildings on their residential property. As tools and equipment are acquired (garden tractors, powered tillers, and other tools and equipment), a need often arises for a storage space which is reasonably secure from weather and other hazards. Similarly, many homeowners are also interested in other outdoor additions to their property, from decks to gazebos to sun rooms to various other relatively light and temporary or semi-permanent structures.

As a result, many relatively small prefabricated structures metal, wood, and/or fiber glass or the like, have been developed for such purposes. In most cases, the walls of such structures are fixed, and wall panels cannot be selectively and temporarily opened and closed, resulting in relatively dark storage sheds and the like, which often build up relatively high humidity therewithin which can be damaging to equipment and articles stored therein. Unfortunately, there is little that can be done to alleviate this problem with such storage sheds and the like.

Other structures (gazebos, sun rooms, etc.) often include open panels, but generally these panels cannot be selectively closed. In some instances, shades or curtains may be installed for privacy or shade, but these components are not a part of the structure, and do not provide secure sealing or closure of the structure as a permanent wall panel would.

Other situations requiring such easily assembled building structure can include a child's playhouse, a camping house, a temporary office for a construction site, and others. The building is erected and shortly thereafter is knocked down, and therefore requires a structure that can be easily assembled and disassembled with minimal effort requiring almost no tools or skilled labor.

Accordingly, there is a general need for building structures which can be easily erected and knocked down. While various structures may be available for this purpose, they often present difficulties in the erection or in maintaining a secure structure. When the structure is easily assembled, frequently it is not sturdy enough to last for a sufficient period of time and results in a dangerous condition subject to collapse. In those situations where adequate sturdiness is provided, the interconnection becomes more complex and it is no longer a simple matter to erect, and knock down. In many cases, complex tools are needed and often skilled labor is also required.

Accordingly, there is a need for a housing structure that can be easily erected and knocked down without the need of skilled labor or complex tools, and which will remain sturdy and secure once erected. Still further, the inventor is not aware of any such structure that can be used to enclose a well or a pump associated with such a well. Since many homes have wells, there is a need for such a structure that can be used to enclose a well.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The above-discussed disadvantages of the prior art are overcome by a knockdown building which will enclose a well, a pump, a water tank, or the like. The building has a roof comprised of several sections each of which has a sleeve which will accommodate a post in the set up condition of the building. The posts are set in the ground and support the building.

Using the building embodying the present invention will permit a homeowner to quickly and easily set up a sturdy building which surrounds and encloses equipment that might otherwise be exposed to the elements. The building is sturdy yet is also aesthetically pleasing.

Other systems, methods, features, and advantages of the invention will be, or will become, apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following figures and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features, and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the invention, and be protected by the following claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

The invention can be better understood with reference to the following drawings and description. The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. Moreover, in the figures, like referenced numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the different views.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a knockdown enclosure embodying the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an elevational view of the enclosure.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of a sectional roof for the enclosure.

FIG. 4 is an elevational view of a portion of the enclosure.

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of another form of a sectional roof for the enclosure.

FIG. 6 shows a bolt used in the enclosure.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an enclosure located adjacent to another building.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the figures, it can be understood that the present invention is embodied in a knockdown building 10 that can be easily and quickly assembled. Building 10 comprises a plurality of support posts 12 which are embedded in the ground G or in a concrete support 14 when in use. Each post includes a base end 16 embedded in the ground and a top end 18 which is located above the ground when the post is in use such as shown in FIG. 1.

A roof unit 20 is supported on the support posts when in use and includes a plurality of sections, such as section 22. Each section includes a plurality of peripheral edges, such as peripheral edge 24, and a flange 30 on each peripheral edge cooperates with a flange on an adjacent section to lock the sections together as can be seen in FIG. 1.

Each section of the roof unit further includes a first surface 40 that is a top surface when the roof unit is in use and a second surface 42 that is a bottom surface when the roof unit is in use. Each roof section further includes a sleeve 50 on the bottom surface. Each sleeve 50 is L-shaped and has two sides 52 and 54. Each of the sleeves is sized to slidably accommodate a post adjacent to the top end of the post to support the section of the roof unit on the post.

As can be seen in FIG. 5, each sleeve is located adjacent to a peripheral edge such as peripheral edge 56 of roof section 22′. The sleeve on one section cooperates with the sleeve on an adjacent section to form a polygonal sleeve which is sized and shaped to slidably accommodate the top of a post as can be seen in FIGS. 1, 2 and 7. A flange element 60 on one peripheral edge of each section of the roof unit. As can be understood from FIG. 1, the flange element on a first section cooperates with the flange element on a second element to lock the first section to the second section.

Another form of the building is indicated in FIG. 3 in which the roof unit further includes additional sections 70 and 72, with each additional section having a first surface 40′ that is a top surface when the roof unit is in use and a second surface 42′ that is a bottom surface when the roof unit is in use. A polygonal sleeve 80 is located on the bottom surface thereof. The additional roof sections permit the building to encompass a wide variety of areas.

A plurality of fence sections, such as fence section 90, are each connected by slide bolts, such as slide bolt 92 shown in FIG. 6, to adjacent support posts. The building further includes a base 100 that can be formed of concrete or the like and which is connected to the support posts. A door 100 can be located in one of the fence sections, and the building can be located adjacent to a second building 110 if desired. Building 10 can be connected to the second building if desired.

Yet another form of the building can include an reinforced roof section 120 which has a reinforcing joint 122. Alternatively, joint 122 can be an expansion joint in which one portion of the section slidably connects to a second portion of the section whereby the expandable section can be adjusted as needed. The assembled knockdown building can contain elements such as a water well, or a water pump, a tank, a water softener, or the like.

While various embodiments of the invention have been described, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that many more embodiments and implementations are possible within the scope of this invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be restricted except in light of the attached claims and their equivalents. 

1. A knockdown building comprising: A) a plurality of support posts which are embedded in the ground when in use, each post including a base end embedded in the ground and a top end which is located above the ground when the post is in use; B) a roof unit which is supported on the support posts when in use, the roof unit including (1) a plurality of sections, each section including (a) a plurality of peripheral edges, (b) a flange on each peripheral edge, (c) a first surface that is a top surface when the roof unit is in use, (d) a second surface that is a bottom surface when the roof unit is in use, and (e) a sleeve on the bottom surface, the sleeve being sized to slidably accommodate a post adjacent to the top end of the post to support the section of the roof unit on the post, each sleeve being located adjacent to a peripheral edge, the sleeve on one section cooperating with the sleeve on an adjacent section to form a polygonal sleeve, and (2) a flange element on one peripheral edge of each section of the roof unit, the flange element on a first section cooperating with the flange element on a second element to lock the first section to the second section; C) a plurality of fence sections, each fence section being connected to adjacent support posts; and D) a base connected to the support posts.
 2. The knockdown building defined in claim 1 wherein the roof unit further includes additional sections, with each additional section having a first surface that is a top surface when the roof unit is in use, a second surface that is a bottom surface when the roof unit is in use, and polygonal sleeve on the bottom surface thereof.
 3. The knockdown building defined in claim 1 further including slide bolts connecting the fence sections to the support posts.
 4. The knockdown building defined in claim 3 wherein the sleeve on each section of the roof unit is L-shaped and each sleeve has only two sides.
 5. The knockdown building defined in claim 4 further including a water well which is surrounded by the fence sections when the fences sections are connected to the support posts. 